Make incredibly crispy chicken breasts coated in a tangy dill pickle and savory Parmesan breading. This recipe delivers maximum crunch and bold flavor for a satisfying dinner.
Author:cookingbyjade
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:20 min
Total Time:40 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Frying or Air Frying
Cuisine:American
Diet:Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup dill pickle juice
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup crushed dill pickle chips (drained well)
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil, for frying (or cooking spray for air fryer)
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish. Pour the dill pickle juice and buttermilk over the chicken. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.
In a wide bowl, whisk together the flour, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
In a separate shallow dish, combine the crushed dill pickle chips and Panko breadcrumbs.
Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Do not pat dry.
Dredge each piece of chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat. Shake off any excess flour.
Dip the floured chicken back into the wet marinade briefly (just a quick dip).
Press the chicken firmly into the Panko and pickle chip mixture, ensuring the coating adheres well on all sides for a crunchy coating.
To fry: Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350 degrees F. Carefully place the chicken in the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F).
To air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F. Lightly spray the coated chicken with cooking spray. Cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and cooked through.
Remove the chicken from the oil or air fryer and place it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness. Serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, reserve a small amount of the pickle juice marinade to use as a dipping sauce base.
If you prefer an oven-baked method without frying, bake the coated chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Use high-quality, finely grated Parmesan cheese for the best incorporation into the flour mixture.